The Dead Boys are one of the most iconic bands of the punk era. They only put out two albums in the late seventies, but both of them are hallmarks of the genre. Young, Loud, And Snotty is a perfect punk slab of vinyl that includes songs like "Sonic Reducer," which may be one of the five best punk tunes ever written. We Have Come For Your Children is another legendary album with classic anthems like "Third Generation Nation." Their live shows were infamous for their violence and rowdiness, and even featured lead singer Stiv Bators cutting himself up on stage. Guitarist Cheetah Chrome's ferocious leads are like a slashing force of nature. Few groups captured the spirit of the New York punk scene better than the Dead Boys. The owner of CBGB was even their manager for a while. Over the years, the band has re-formed on a number of occasions and their latest incarnation will be playing at Burger Boogaloo on Saturday, July 6th.(More on Burger Boogaloo HERE!)

The awning from bygone punk mecca CBGB's, to be auctioned off next week by Sotheby's, deserves to remain in the public domain. Rather than go to some private collection, it would be wonderful if the historic 315 Bowery club awning were acquired by the Smithsonian Institution. In turn it could then be loaned out to exhibits such as the ongoing Ramones exhibit "Hey, Ho! Let's Go: Ramones and the Birth of Punk" at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles through March 2017. More than any other act closely associated with CBGB's in its 70's heyday (Television, Patti Smith Group, Talking Heads, Blondie, Dead Boys etc.), The Ramones most epitomized the legendary punk/new wave club whose initials stood for stood for Country, Bluegrass and Blues. The late great quartet of Joey, Johnny, Dee Deeand Tommy Ramonewere like the house band in the beginning.